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Therapy confidentiality in the age of AI is facing new challenges. At a time when technology seems to be everywhere, it’s no surprise that some therapists have begun recording therapy sessions to generate AI-driven notes. These recorded files are then transcribed and analyzed by various software programs to produce session summaries and progress notes. While this might offer the therapist considerable convenience, it raises critical questions about privacy, trust, and the true nature of the therapeutic experience.
The therapeutic relationship Is sacred. The bond between therapist and client should feel safe, trusting, and confidential. In therapy, clients share their most personal stories, fears, and hopes. That trust makes room for healing and growth. When sessions are recorded, even with the best intentions, there can be a sense of intrusion. Clients may worry about who else might hear their stories or how the recordings might be used or stored in the future. In my practice, client comfort and safety come first. One of my top priorities is to ensure that clients feel as comfortable and at ease as possible when they walk through my door. It takes immense courage to seek therapy and to share one’s worries, struggles, hopes, and dreams. Adding a camera or microphone that’s “on the record” can heighten anxiety and make it harder for clients to speak honestly. I want our time together to feel welcoming and safe, and I believe the potential benefits of AI-generated notes simply aren’t worth the risk of damaging that comfort.
Although artificial intelligence has the potential to simplify paperwork, it also opens the door to privacy breaches, data hacks, and unintended sharing of sensitive information. Even the most robust security systems can face vulnerabilities. In a perfect world, AI tools would be 100% secure and used only to support therapists in delivering better care. However, I believe the risk of exposing clients’ intimate thoughts and stories—no matter how small that risk—outweighs the possible benefits.
I have chosen not to record my sessions for AI-generated progress notes because I hold client confidentiality and trust as my highest responsibility. That means I manually take notes and keep them secure in a way that aligns with ethical guidelines. This approach ensures that my clients know the only person listening to them in that space is me.
Keeping the focus where it belongs fosters a genuine bond. The core of therapy is a warm, human connection—two people working together to foster understanding, healing, and change. When a client speaks, my focus is on their words, feelings, and experiences, not on an AI program’s transcription. I believe that no machine, no matter how advanced, can replicate the compassion and empathy that come from genuine human presence.
Technology can be an incredible asset in so many areas of life, but when it comes to therapy, the sanctity of the therapeutic relationship remains paramount. Recording sessions for AI note generation might bring convenience, but it also introduces a level of surveillance and potential privacy risks that I’m not willing to accept. My commitment will always be to keep our time together confidential, sacred, and centered on genuine human connection.
In my informed consent, I have always had a section that clearly states that I do not allow the recording of sessions. This includes recording either by the client or by the therapist. If you ever have any questions or concerns about privacy or any aspect of the therapeutic process, please feel free to reach out. I’m here to support your journey with warmth, respect, and unwavering confidentiality.
